2021 Honda Rebel 1100 First Ride Review

2021 Honda Rebel 1100 First Ride Review

Ari tests Honda's biggest and baddest Rebel motorcycle, the Rebel 1100. With an Africa Twin-derived parallel twin and laid-back cruiser style, how does the big Rebel handle? Ari puts the bike through its paces in this first ride review.

SPECS:
MSRP: $9,299 with manual clutch, $9,999 with DCT
Engine: 1,084 cc, parallel twin
Measured weight: 487 pounds (manual clutch), 509 pounds (DCT)
Fuel tank: 3.6 gallons
Seat height: 27.5 inches

Ari's gear:

[CCitis]

Not my thing, but you know why motorcycling is awesome? There is something for everyone. As long as you get out there on two wheels... who cares what you are on. We all have different preferences, and there are so many types of bikes out there... pick the one you want, and be happy with it!

[zyonsdream]

I’m a Honda fan boy. Currently have a 2017 Africa Twin, 2019 CB1000R and a 2014 CB500L that my kids ride. This Rebel is a great second bike that a person could own for a long long time. It’s good when a brand gives a new rider the ability to step up in displacement while staying with their chosen style of bike.

[Jimo]

Thanks for doing this in less than 5 mins.

[torstikinnunen]

So Honda thought Rebel 500 dominating new cruiser sales was not enough. Cool.

[Firestorm]

Most bang for the buck with great safety for the price. It’s a winner.

[dangoldbach]

I've spent some quality time with an Africa twin DCT and it's like trying sushi for the first time...not what you expected but unexpectedly good. I really liked it. Biggest plus to the rebel is cruise control, that's something you don't know you want until you tried it! MASSIVE increase in rider comfort!

[BmxDieseldude]

As much as cruisers aren't my thing, and I don't see myself buying a DCT until my hands are to arthritic to hold the lever, this bike does excited me for one reason. - NEW RIDERS! Having a light weight, low seat, automatic, bike with traction control, abs, and enough power to keep even experienced riders entertained without being scary to newer folks. All in a brand that the even non rider's feel they can trust to get a quality product from.

Kind of erases a ton of those barriers to entry for those contemplating getting into riding. I'm not a big honda head but personally but I could see this thing attracting a lot future enthusiasts.

[djalilderr]

Amazing bike pretty excited to see Zack court's take on it when he makes a Daily rider video on it

[patricksandeberg]

The lean angel is actually really good for a cruiser. 35°

[enormouslittlethings]

Had I not bought a brand new Vulcan S last year I would 100% be picking one of these up yesterday.

[shinyribs]

I'm not sure everyone understands the DCT. It's not just an automatic transmission. It will function as an automatic if you tell it to, or you can use the paddles to shift manually. You can fit a foot lever if you want.

So you get to ride how you want, but when stuck in traffic you get an easy mode, if you choose. Not a lot to hate there!

[MichiganPowersports]

Im going with a dct because it simply frees up your mind to enjoy the cruise and I feel it is a little safer. Just one less thing to have to think about, even if it lessens the connection you have to the bike.

Its also actually more difficult to do low speed maneuvers with the dct. No clutch to control your power on the bite. Only thing you have is dragging the rear brake.

[joelthemole]

Back in late 2020 or early 2021 my 5'1" wife decided it was time to start riding, which she had wanted to do for years, and she wanted a bike she didnt have to worry about shifting if at all possible. We were looking at some of the NC7xx DCT bikes, but at the time even used ones that were 8-9 years old were in the $6-7k range and she really didnt like the look of those bikes or the seat height. We found a Rebel 1100 DCT and drove a few hours away to look at one and she loved it after sitting on it so we bought it then and there. Since it was basically her first motorcycle outside the MSF class and a few short rides on a 250cc scooter we got her some crash bars from TRex, set the ride mode to "Rain", and off she went. The TRex drop bars are more practical than stylish, as they stick out quite a ways, but they are excellent at their job. She has dropped the bike a couple times at parking lot speeds, as any new rider can expect to do at least a few times, but there is no damage at all to anything but the replaceable scuff plates on the drop bars. At this point she likes the bike in "standard" ride mode, we got her the Honda soft bags, a top box mount from TRex and a top box off Amazon, some Kuryakyn mini floorboards I had (Although TRex again has some nice looking ones), some ROX 3" risers, and are testing windscreens to see what she likes best. At this point she loves her bike and can't see any reason to ever change, although we might add a few more things like a center stand (TRex again most likely) and we are going to check out the self canceling turn signals from ST2-Systems. This has been a fantastic bike for her, and honestly the fact that it is capable of being a first, middle, and final bike for a responsible rider is frankly outstanding. I would like to state that I am not in any way associated with TRex and have never received anything from them for free, I am just a happy customer of theirs.

[ngd]

I had a Honda Rebel 250 in 1985 as a 16 year old. Loved it!

[jonathan]

More than a couple curmudgeons in this thread. This style of motorcycle is not my thing, but this 1100 looks like a practical metric cruiser. Pretty cool that the standard transmission model weighs less than 500 lbs. wet.

[yockanookany]

I was looking to buy a cruiser last year but cruise control was a requirement for me, and all the cruisers with it were stupid expensive. I ended up getting a yamaha MT-10, which ended up being an incredible decision. That said seeing a cruiser of this price with cruise control is great... now hopefully more companies will add it to their cruisers and I'll add a cruiser to my garage to sit by my MT-10.

[Klorontix]

I'm a super-sport guy, been riding for about 4 years now. But I think the Rebel is a beautiful bike. I told myself like a year ago if they ever made anything above a 500 I might consider getting it, and really on the fence right now. Maybe I will wait until Sep/Oct but idk.

[VaeVictisXIII]

Getting a 500 in the summer, and the 1100 is my upgrade goal. Love the style and the minimalism, and it seems friendly for new riders.

[ecrusch]

I just got one in red metallic and love it.
That DCT is GREAT!

[romanstravels]

I swear, Honda’s are the future. Just watch every manufacturer is ganna be copy cating their DCT and line up. I’m def getting this bike one day